Apple Watch Series 4 Preview

On September 14th, 2018 @ 12:01am, pre-orders began for the Apple Watch Series 4. They will be available to purchase on Friday, September 21st, 2018.

I quickly placed my order and the following was stated:

Ships: 3–4 weeks
Delivers: Oct 12 - Oct 19 by Standard Delivery

Larger in Size

Comparatively, the new Apple Watch is now larger and has a more viewable area.

• Screen size is over 30% larger
• Less volume
• Thinner
• Rounded screen display corners

Two New Sizes

• 44MM (new series 4) > 42MM (old series 3)
  • 977 sq mm display (new series 4) > 740 sq mm (old series 3)
• 40MM (new series 4) > 38MM (old series 3)
  • 759 sq mm (new series 4) > 593 sq mm (old series 3)

• What this means:
  • Although the smaller of the series 4 options, the 40mm has a larger view yet a more discreet footprint than the larger series 3 (38MM)

Watch Bands

New Sport (Nylon) Loop Band

Soft, breathable, and lightweight, the Sport Loop features a hook-and-loop fastener for quick and easy adjustment. The double-layer nylon weave has dense loops on the skin side that provide soft cushioning while allowing moisture to escape. On the reverse side, the attachment loops are securely anchored for superior durability.

Watch Band Capability

During the Apple Keynote speech, the presenter stated the following:

• All band styles will fit any generation of Apple Watch
• Any bands that you currently own will work fine on the Series 4

However, this is misleading and incorrect information. According to the Apple Website:

The 40mm band works with the 38mm case; the 44mm band works with the 42mm case.

New Complications

• Sport Scores from MLB
• Travel Itinerary

New Watch Faces Made Just for New Size

• Truly, they are quite amazing looking, just watch the keynote
• Breathe Watch Face
  • 3 options
  • Just raise the wrist
• Fire Face
• Water Face
• Mist Face

Digital Crown has Haptic Feedback

• With this feature, you can feel the options as you select them
• It’s Mechanical feeling

Louder Speaker

• Now you can really hear Siri
• Voice conversations via phone or the new walkie talkie feature will be more clear and louder.

Microphone is clearer

• As a result, your voice will be picked up and the caller on the other end will be able to understand you better.

Back of Watch

• Made of black ceramic and sapphire crystal
• Makes it better for cell phone reception

CPU or Processor is 2x faster

This is a great feature because the series 2 was already too slow for me and the series 3 is already 2x fast as the series 2. When using Apple Music or running app, they will load much quicker so you can get on with your run.

• S4 is 64-bit
• 2x fast compared to the Apple Watch Series 3

Accelerometer

• 2x dynamic range
• Can sample motions 8x faster
• Will now detect a fall – what does that mean?
  • Can detect all different types of falls
    • Slips
    • Falls
    • Trips

• Once it detects a fall it will ask if you want to call SOS.
• Then if you haven’t responded after 1 minute, it will call Emergency SOS automatically.
  • For example, a hidden feature of this is in case if you are running and get attacked.

Heart Rate Monitor

• Will detect if your heart rate is too low
  • This could be something serious
• Able to screen your heart rhythm
  • It will alert you if it thinks you may have atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Your heart has shown signs of an irregular rhythm suggestive of atrial fibrillation.

If you have not been diagnosed with AFib by a physician, you should talk to your doctor.

Now has an ECG – Electrocardiogram (EKG)

What is an ECG?

An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals in your heart. It’s a common test used to detect heart problems and monitor the heart’s status in many situations. Electrocardiograms — also called ECGs or EKGs — are often done in a doctor’s office, a clinic or a hospital room. And they’ve become standard equipment in operating rooms and ambulances.

Your doctor may use an electrocardiogram to detect:

• Irregularities in your heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
• If blocked or narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack
• Structural problems with your heart’s chambers
• A previous heart attack
• How well certain ongoing heart disease treatments, such as a pacemaker, are working

• Furthermore, Apple added extra electrodes to the back of the crystals and Digital Crown.
• The ECG Only takes 30 seconds

• If it’s beating in a normal rhythm, it will report a heart Sinus rhythm
• Otherwise, in an an abnormal rhythm, it will classify it as AFib
  • What is AFib
• Additionally, it will create a PDF that you can share with your doctor
• Also Apple received clearance from the FDA
• Will be available later this year (not on release day)

Privacy

• Data is yours and you have all the say in who gets to see it
• In fact, all data (health) is encrypted locally on the device

Battery Life

• has the same battery life as series 3
• That is good because its does so much more
• All day battery life

References

ECG

AFib